Meghna Sengupta
Over the last couple of days, every single Manchester United fan has been nervously checking the news on a regular basis to see whether or not the Alexis Sanchez deal would get confirmed anytime soon. Well, it has been confirmed now! (Manutd.com)
In what was perhaps the greatest plot-twist of the year, the Red Devils pipped arch-rivals Manchester City to complete a move for the Arsenal attacker, who was being targetted by Pep Guardiola for the longest time.
While the satisfaction of beating our noisy neighbours to sign their most sought-after target is incomparable, there is no denying that Sanchez is a top-class player. He could work wonders for our attack and we needed help in that department. His creativity and goalscoring exploits can significantly boost our numbers while also helping our players in the final third.
However, every action has an opposite reaction (or so we’ve been told) and if latest reports from Don Balon are to be believed, City might hijack Manchester United’s move for Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio.
The tables have turned now and City are understood to be harbouring an interest in Asensio, who has a £442m release clause. The 22-year-old has struggled for game time at the Santiago Bernabeu and is seeking a move elsewhere. Truth be told, it is highly unlikely that Jose Mourinho would continue to actively pursue a deal for Asensio once Sanchez arrives at Old Trafford.
Hence, there will be a window of opportunity for Guardiola to make a move. Asensio is an immensely talented player with a lot of potential but he is no Alexis Sanchez. At a time when signing Sanchez sounded impossible, a move for Asensio might have made sense but now that we are on the cusp of completing a deal for the South American star, it wouldn’t be a problem even if we let City have Asensio.
